Video mixer apparatus

ABSTRACT

Video picture signals are received via at least three channels. At least three control instructing operators are provided in correspondence with the channels. Each control instructing operator is operable to give a signal control instruction for the corresponding channel in accordance with an operated amount of the operator. Controller performs signal control on the video picture signals of the channels on the basis of the respective signal control instructions given via the control instructing operators. Synthesizer synthesizes the video picture signals of the channels having been subjected to the signal control by the controller. Video picture signals of two desired channels are designated, and a contact-type operator gives signal control instructions, corresponding to a predetermined position of the operator contacted by a human operator, with respect to the video picture signals of the designated two channels. By the signal control instructions, signal control is performed on the video picture signals of the designated two channels to thereby synthesize the video picture signals.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to video mixer apparatus capableof mixing a plurality of video pictures to create a special videopicture, and more particularly to an improved video mixer apparatus thatmixes video pictures, as appropriate, input via three or more inputchannels to create a special video picture.

Today, in many music concerts, discotheque clubs and the like, videopictures, not only still pictures and animated pictures, edited by a VJ(acronym for a Visual Jockey) or other picture artist having a goodartistic sense are visually displayed to music pieces played by a bandor DJ (Disk Jockey), so as to impart comprehensive effects to an entireplace in question in accordance with musical scenes. It has been knownto use a video mixer apparatus (also known as a video switcherapparatus) in such video picture editing by a VJ or the like. Typicalexample of the conventional video switcher apparatus is arranged tosynthesize a plurality of video picture signals input from a pluralityof video tape recorders and/or cameras to thereby create a special videopicture. In addition to thus creating a special video picture bysynthesizing a plurality of video picture signals, the conventionalvideo switcher can create a video picture imparted with a predeterminedeffect, such as an overlap, wipe or keying. However, the conventionalvideo mixer apparatus can only additively synthesize video picturesignals receive from two input channels. Namely, although theconventional video mixer apparatus can receive video picture signals viaa plurality of (e.g., four) input channels, it selects, as appropriate,the video picture signals received via just two of the input channelsand then additively synthesizes the video picture signals of thethus-selected two input channels.

Because the conventional video mixer apparatus is designed to additivelysynthesize video picture signals received via only two selected inputchannels as noted above, the single video mixer apparatus can not, byitself, mix input video picture signals of three or more input channelsto create a special video picture. Thus, for mixing video picturesignals received via three or more input channels, it has heretoforebeen necessary to connect a plurality of such video mixer apparatus,which would, however, disadvantageously result in an increased overallsize or reduced compactness of the apparatus. Further, when videopicture signals received via three or more channels are to besimultaneously mixed together to create a special video picture, it hasbeen conventional to perform the signal mixing step by step byappropriately manipulating the plurality of video mixer apparatus.However, performing the mixing by quickly and appropriately combiningvideo picture signals of desired channels, selected from among the threeor more channels, would require a great amount of time and labor andencounter extremely great difficulty.

Further, in the case where video picture signals received via two inputchannels are to be additively synthesized via the conventional videomixer apparatus, the user can vary a synthesis ratio between the videopicture signals of the channels using a so-called T-Bar (Take-Bar). But,for variation in the synthesis ratio between the video picture signalsreceived via the two input channels using the T-Bar like this, it hasbeen only possible to set the synthesis ratio such that respectiveproportions of the video picture signals received via the two inputchannels always sum to 100%, e.g. with the video picture signal of thefirst input channel being set to 32% of a maximum amount for the firstinput channel and the video picture signal of the second input channelbeing set to 68% of a maximum amount for the second input channel.Namely, the use of the T-Bar alone can not set a desired synthesis ratiobetween the video picture signals received via the two input channels(e.g., 100% of the first-channel maximum amount to the video picturesignal of the first input channel and 15% of the second-channel maximumamount to the video picture signal of the second input channel, or 30%of the first-channel maximum amount to the video picture signal of thefirst input channel and 20% of the second input channel to the videopicture signal of the second input channel). Thus, when the videopicture signals received via the two input channels are to be mixed at adesired synthesis ratio, extremely complicated manipulations must beperformed, which tend to cause great inconveniences in quick videopicture editing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention toprovide a standalone video mixer apparatus which can, by itself, mixinput video picture signals of three or more input channels in anydesired combination.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a standalonevideo mixer apparatus which can mix input video picture signals of threeor more input channels at any desired synthesis ratio.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided avideo mixer apparatus which comprises: a video-picture-signal inputsection that receives video picture signals via at least three or morechannels; at least three or more control instructing operators providedin corresponding relation to the at least three or more channels, eachof the control instructing operators being operable to give a signalcontrol instruction for the corresponding channel in accordance with anoperated amount of the operator; a control section that performs signalcontrol on the video picture signals of the individual channels on thebasis of respective ones of the signal control instructions given by thecontrol instructing operators; and a video-picture-signal synthesissection that synthesizes the video picture signals of the individualchannels having been subjected to the signal control by the controlsection.

Namely, the video mixer apparatus of the present invention is arrangedsuch that video picture signals of at least three or more channels areinput to the apparatus and then signal control is performed on the inputvideo picture signal individually for each of the channels in accordancewith an operated amount of the control instructing operatorcorresponding to the channel so that the video picture signals of theindividual channels having been thus controlled are synthesized. Thus,the single video mixer apparatus of the invention can, by itself,synthesize video signals of three or more channels. Further, because thecontrol instructing operators can give signal control instructions onthe channel-by-channel basis, the present invention can perform videosignal mixing by combining, as appropriate, the video picture signals ofany desired ones of the channels.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a videomixer apparatus which comprises: a video-picture-signal input sectionthat receives video picture signals via at least three or more channels;a video-picture-signal synthesis section that synthesizes the videopicture signals of the individual the channels received by thevideo-picture-signal input section; a designation section thatdesignates the video picture signals of two desired channels from amongthe video picture signals to be synthesized by the video-picture-signalsynthesis section; a contact-type operator that, by being contacted at apredetermined position thereof, gives a signal control instruction,corresponding to the contacted predetermined position, with respect tothe designated video picture signals of the two desired channels; and acontrol section that, on the basis of the signal control instructiongiven by the contact-type operator, performs signal control on thedesignated video picture signals of the two desired channels to besynthesized by the video-picture-signal synthesis section. With sucharrangements, settings can be made to permit mixing at a desiredsynthesis ratio between video picture signals of two channels selectedfrom among the at least three or more channels.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a video mixer apparatus which comprises: a video-picture-signalinput section that receives video picture signals via at least three ormore channels; a video-picture-signal synthesis section that synthesizesthe video picture signals of the individual channels received by thevideo-picture-signal input section; at least three or more controlinstructing operators provided in corresponding relation to thechannels, each of the control instructing operators being operable togive a signal control instruction about at least one of a displayedposition and displayed size of the video picture signal of thecorresponding channel; and a control section that performs signalcontrol on each of the video picture signals of the channels to besynthesized by the video-picture-signal synthesis section, in accordancewith the signal control instruction given by the control instructingoperator corresponding to the channel of the video picture signal.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a video mixer apparatus which comprises: a video-picture-signalinput section that receives video picture signals via at least three ormore channels; a video-picture-signal synthesis section that synthesizesthe video picture signals of the individual channels received by thevideo-picture-signal input section; a display section that visuallydisplays a video picture; a function-shift instructing section thatinstructs a shift between a plurality of display functions including atleast a solo function, cue function and preview function. The solofunction is a function for selecting a particular channel from among theat least three or more channels and displaying only a video picturesignal of the particular channel, the cue function is a function forselecting a particular channel from among the at least three or morechannels and displaying a video picture signal of the particular channelin a different style from video picture signals of the other channels,and the preview function is a function for previewing a video picturesignal of a desired one of the channels. The video mixer apparatus alsoincludes a control section that controls a video picture signal to bedisplayed by the display section, and the control section controls thedisplay section to switch the video picture to be displayed, inaccordance with a function shift instruction given by the function-shiftinstructing section.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a video mixer apparatus which comprises: a video-picture-signalinput section that receives video picture signals via a plurality ofchannels, each of the video signals containing a plurality ofpredetermined components; a video-picture-signal synthesis section thatsynthesizes the video picture signals of the individual channelsreceived via the video-picture-signal input section; an operator; and anoperation section capable of performing an arithmetic or logicaloperation on the basis of operation of the operator and using a portionor all of the plurality of predetermined components contained in thevideo picture signals of the individual channels. Here, thevideo-picture-signal synthesis section can synthesize the video picturesignals of the individual channels using a result of the arithmetic orlogical operation performed by the operation section.

While the embodiments to be described herein represent the preferredform of the present invention, it is to be understood that variousmodifications will occur to those skilled in the art without departingfrom the spirit of the invention. The scope of the present invention istherefore to be determined solely by the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For better understanding of the objects and other features of thepresent invention, its embodiments will be described in greater detailhereinbelow with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an exemplary general hardware setup ofa video mixer apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing a specific structure of a paneloperator unit in the video mixer apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a screen display based onsettings of a “Vsize” switch, “Vpop” switch, “Hsize” switch and “Hpos”switch;

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram explanatory of solo, cue and previewfunctions of the video mixer apparatus;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an exemplary setup of a pictureprocessing section in the video mixer apparatus;

FIG. 6 that is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a pictureediting system using the video mixer apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 7A is a diagram an example showing an input video picture, and FIG.7B is a conceptual diagram explanatory of a manner in which the inputvideo picture of FIG. 7A is projected in accordance with a multi-screenscheme;

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a specific example of picture synthesis thatcan be performed using the video mixer apparatus of the presentinvention;

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing another specific example of the picturesynthesis that can be performed using the video mixer apparatus of thepresent invention; and

FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a screen displayedfor editing of TCrCb signals in an edit mode of the video mixerapparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an exemplary general hardware setup ofa video mixer apparatus VM in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention.

In this embodiment, various operations are carried out under control ofa microcomputer comprising a microprocessor unit (CPU) 1, a read-onlymemory (ROM) 2 and a random access memory (RAM) 3. The embodiment willbe described in relation to such a video mixer apparatus VM that carriesout various operations, such as video picture synthesis and effectimpartment, in accordance with instructions given by the single CPU 1;that is, the CPU 1 controls behavior of the entire video mixer apparatusVM. To the CPU 1 are connected, via a communication bus (such as a dataand address bus) 1D, the read-only memory (ROM) 2, random access memory(RAM) 3, operation detection circuit 4, display circuit 5, pictureprocessing section 6, external storage device 7, MIDI interface (I/F) 8and communication interface (I/F) 9. Also connected to the CPU 1 is atimer 1A for counting various time periods and intervals and generatingtempo clock pulses to be used for outputting video picture signals,received asynchronously via a plurality of video input channels, at sametiming (i.e., in a synchronized fashion). Such tempo clock pulsesgenerated by the timer 1A are also given to the CPU 1 as processingtiming instructions or as interrupt instructions. In accordance withsuch instructions from the timer 1A, the CPU 1 controls variouscomponents of the mixer apparatus VM to carry out various processes,such as a process for mixing video picture signals received via aplurality of video input channels and outputting a mixed video pictureand a process for imparting any of various effects to a video picture.

The ROM 2 has prestored therein various programs to be executed by theCPU 1 and various data to be referred to by the CPU 1. The RAM 3 is usedas a working memory for temporarily storing various data generated asthe CPU 1 executes a predetermined program, or as a memory for storingthe currently-executed program and data related thereto. Predeterminedaddress regions of the RAM 3 are allocated and used as registers, flags,tables, memories, etc.

Panel operator unit 4A includes various switches and operators forsetting various parameters to be used for mixing (i.e., synthesizing) aplurality of video picture signals received via a plurality of videoinput channels and setting parameters to be used for imparting apredetermined effect to input video pictures or mixed video picture, aswill be later described in detail. Of course, the panel operator unit 4Amay include various other operators, such as a ten-button keypad forentry of numeric value data and a keyboard for entry of text data, thatare to be used for selecting, setting or controlling other functionsthan the parameter setting functions. The operation detection circuit 4constantly detects respective operational states of the individualswitches and other operators on the panel operator unit 4A and outputsswitch information, corresponding to the detected operational states ofthe operators, to the CPU 1 via the communication bus 1D.

The display circuit 5 visually displays various video pictures, such asvideo pictures after mixing or synthesis of video picture signalsreceived via a plurality of video input channels as well as videopictures of the individual video input channels before mixing, on adisplay device 5A that may be in the form of an LCD (Liquid CrystalDisplay) or CRT (Cathode Ray Tube). In addition, the display circuit 5can visually display, on the display device 5A, settings of variousparameters in the individual video input channels, controlling state ofthe CPU 1, etc.

The picture processing section 6 includes at least a video inputcircuit, a picture mixing circuit, a picture effect circuit and apicture output circuit. The picture processing section 6 performs apicture synthesis process, effect impartment process, etc. and outputseach of the video pictures, created by the processes, to the displaycircuit 5. Details of the video input circuit, picture mixing circuit,picture effect circuit and video picture output circuit of theprocessing section 6 will be described later. Note that theabove-mentioned display device 5A may include various display elementsfor showing video pictures to a human operator or user, or one or morehuman viewers or audience.

The external storage device 7 is provided for storing settings of theindividual switches and other operators on the panel operator unit 4A ata predetermined time point, e.g., when any one of first to eighth scenebuttons Sc1-Sc8 and a scene store button of FIG. 2 have been depressedsimultaneously as will be later described in detail. The externalstorage device 7 also stores various programs to be executed by the CPU1, and the like. Where a particular control program is not prestored inthe ROM 2, the control program may be prestored in the external storagedevice (e.g., hard disk device) 7, so that, by reading the controlprogram from the external storage device 7 into the RAM 3, the CPU 1 isallowed to operate in exactly the same way as in the case where theparticular control program is stored in the program memory 2. Thisarrangement greatly facilitates version upgrade of the control program,addition of a new control program, etc. The external storage device 7may use any of various removable-type media other than the hard disk(HD), such as a floppy disk (FD), compact disk (CD-R (Recordable), CD-RW(Rewritable) or the like), magneto-optical disk (MO), ZIP disk or DVD(Digital Versatile Disk) and semiconductor memory.

The MIDI interface (I/F) 8 is provided for receiving or delivering MIDItone information (e.g., MIDI data) from or to external MIDI equipment 8Aor the like. Note that the other MIDI equipment 8A may be of any type,such as a keyboard type, guitar type, wind instrument type, percussioninstrument type or gesture type for attachment to a part of a humanoperator or user, as long as it can generate MIDI data in response tomanipulations by the user. Further, the communication interface 9 isconnected to a wired or wireless communication network 9B, such as a LAN(Local Area Network), the Internet or telephone line network, via whichit may be connected to a desired sever computer 9A so as to input acontrol program and audio and various other data to the video mixerapparatus VM. Thus, in a situation where a particular control programand various data are contained in neither the ROM 2 nor the externalstorage device 7 (e.g., hard disk), or when the control data and dataare to be subjected to version upgrade, these control program and datacan be downloaded from the server computer 9A via the communicationinterface 9. In such a case, the video mixer apparatus VM, which is a“client”, sends a command to request the server computer 9A to downloadthe control program and various data by way of the communicationinterface 9 and communication network 9B. In response to the commandfrom the client, the server computer 9A delivers the requested controlprogram and data to the video mixer apparatus VM via the communicationnetwork 9B. In turn, the video mixer apparatus VM receives the controlprogram and data via the communication interface 9 and accumulativelystore them in the external storage device (hard disk) 7. In this way,the necessary downloading of the control program and various data iscompleted.

Note that the MIDI interface 8 may be a general-purpose interface ratherthan a dedicated MIDI interface, such as RS232-C, USB (Universal SerialBus) or IEEE1394, in which case other data than MIDI tone informationmay be communicated at the same time as the video picture data. In thecase where such a general-purpose interface as noted above is used asthe MIDI interface 8, the other MIDI equipment 8A may be designed tocommunicate other data than MIDI tone information. Of course, toneinformation handled in the present embodiment may be based on otherstandard than the MIDI standard such as the SMF format, in which casethe MIDI interface 8 and other MIDI equipment 8A are constructed inconformity to the data format employed.

The following paragraphs describe a specific structure of the paneloperator unit 4A in the video mixer apparatus VM, with reference to FIG.2 that shows the various switches and other operators on the operatorunit 4A. In this figure, the video mixer apparatus VM is shown as havingeight video input channels, and the panel operator unit 4A isconstructed accordingly. As shown in FIG. 2, the switches on the paneloperator unit 4A of the apparatus VM are classified into two majorgroups, a sub-switch group SS and a main switch group MS, details ofwhich will be described below for each of such switch groups SS and MS.

The sub-switch group SS includes, for each of the eight video inputchannels CH1-CH8 (hereinafter also referred to as “channels”), a “Vsize”switch Vs, “Vpos” switch Vp, “Hsize” switch Hs, “Hpos” switch Hp, hueswitch H, “Ygain” switch Y, “Cbgain” switch Cb, “Crgain” switch Cr,“solo/cue/preview” button SCP, gain slider G. These switches of thesub-switch group SS are used for making various settings for controllingvideo picture signals input via the channels CH1-CH8 (input videopictures) on a channel-by-channel basis.

Each of the “Vsize” switches Vs provided in corresponding relation tothe channels is operable to adjust or vary a vertical dimension of avideo picture input via the corresponding channel. For example, byturning the “Vsize” switch Vs in clockwise and counterclockwisedirections of FIG. 2, the user or human operator can switch the verticaldimension of the input video picture among seven different dimensionsettings, 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, 1/1, 2, 4 and 8 times. For example, assumingthat the “Vsize” switch Vs in the center position as shown in FIG. 2represents the “1/1” dimension setting, the vertical dimension of theinput video picture can be set stepwise to any desired one of the 1/2,1/4 and 1/8 times by counterclockwise turning of the “Vsize” switch Vs,and similarly set stepwise to any desired one of the 2, 4 and 8 times byclockwise turning of the “Vsize” switch Vs. Each of the “Vpos” switchesVp provided in corresponding relation to the channels provided incorresponding relation to the channels is operable to adjust or vary avertical position of the input video picture. For example, by turningthe “Vpos” switch Vp in the clockwise and counterclockwise directions,the user can move stepwise the input video picture to any desired one ofvertical axial coordinate positions obtained by vertically dividing apredetermined screen area of the display device 5A into eight segments.Each of the “Hsize” switches Hs provided in corresponding relation tothe channels is operable to adjust or vary a horizontal dimension of avideo picture input via the corresponding channel. For example, byturning the “Hsize” switch Hs in the clockwise and counterclockwisedirections, the user can switch the horizontal dimension of the inputvideo picture among seven different dimension settings, 1/8, 1/4, 1/2,1/1, 2, 4 and 8 times, in generally the same manner as set forth abovein relation to the “Vsize” switch Vs. Each of the “Hpos” switches Hpprovided in corresponding relation to the channels is operable to adjustor vary a horizontal position of the input video picture. For example,by turning the “Hpos” switch Hp in the clockwise and counterclockwisedirections, the user can move stepwise the input video picture to anydesired one of horizontal axial coordinate positions obtained byhorizontally dividing the predetermined screen area of the displaydevice 5A into eight segments.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a screen displaybased on settings of the above-mentioned “Vsize” switch Vs, “Vpos”switch Vp, “Hsize” switch Hs and “Hpos” switch Hp. In the figure, ahorizontal row of numbers “0”-“8” represents the eight horizontal axialcoordinate positions or blocks on the display screen, while a verticalrow of numbers “0”-“8” represents the eight vertical axial coordinatepositions or blocks on the display screen.

When the horizontal and vertical positions of the input video pictureare both set to “0” and the input video picture is to be displayed onthe screen as it is, the input video picture is displayed in an upperleft position of the screen with a size as illustrated (input videopicture IN). If, then, the “Vsize” switch Vs is set to “2 times”, the“Vpos” switch Vp to “3”, the “Hsize” switch Hs to “2 times” and the“Hpos” switch Hp to “4” for the input video picture IN, the input videopicture IN is re-displayed as an output video picture having both of thevertical and horizontal dimensions increased by two times with areference point located at a upper left corner of a rectangular screenblock specified by the vertical axial coordinate position “3” andhorizontal axial coordinate position “4”. Namely, for each of thechannels CH1-CH8, the combined use of the “Vsize” switch Vs, “Vpos”switch, “Hsize” switch Hs and “Hpos” switch Hp allows the input videopicture to be displayed with a desired size in a desired position on thedisplay screen.

Referring back to FIG. 2, each of the hue switches H provided incorresponding relation to the channels is operable to adjust a hue of avideo picture input via the corresponding channel. Each of the “Ygain”switches Y provided in corresponding relation to the channels isoperable to adjust a gain of a Y signal, i.e. luminance signal, of avideo picture input via the corresponding channel. Each of the “Cbgain”switches Cb provided in corresponding relation to the channels isoperable to adjust a gain of a Cb signal, i.e. color difference Cbsignal, of the video picture input via the corresponding channel. Eachof the “Crgain” switches Cr provided in corresponding relation to thechannels is operable to adjust a gain of a Cr signal, i.e. colordifference Cr signal Cr, of the video picture input via thecorresponding channel. The gain adjustments of the above-mentioned Ysignal, Cr signal and Cb signal are made here by performingpredetermined arithmetic operations using respective special presettables or the like on the basis of settings determined linearly ornonlinearly (in this case, gain curves are provided) or randomly inaccordance with respective operated amounts of the switches.

Further, each of the “solo/cue/preview” buttons SCP provided incorresponding relation to the channels is operable to select any one ofthe channels CH1-CH8 to be processed in accordance with a solo function,cue function or preview function. As will be later described in detail,the cue function and preview-function are intended to display only avideo picture of a desired channel on the display device 5A for thehuman operator in a given style so that the human operator canpreviously ascertain contents of a video picture to be created for thedesired channel prior to display on the display device 5A provided forthe audience (audience display device 5A). The solo function is intendedto display only a video picture of any one of the channels CH1-CH8 onthe audience display device 5A.

Each of the gain sliders (also called “faders”) G provided incorresponding relation to the channels is operable to adjust the gainsof the luminance and color difference signals (i.e., Y signal, Cr signaland Cb signal) for the corresponding channel CH1-CH8. Namely, whereasthe above-described “Ygain” switch Y, “Cbgain” switch Cb and “Crgain”switch Cr are for individually or independently adjusting the gains ofthe Y, Cr and Cb signals, the gain sliders G are for simultaneouslyadjusting the gains of the Y, Cr and Cb signals in a collective fashion.Gain adjustment by the gain slider G is carried out by performing apredetermined arithmetic operation using a preset special table or thelike on the basis of settings determined linearly or nonlinearly (inthis case, a gain curve is provided) or randomly in accordance with anoperated amount of the slider G. Thus, the input video picture inquestion can be displayed, for example, in a clearer hue with a lighterimpression as the gain slider G is moved upward, while the input videopicture can be displayed in a fainter hue with a darker impression asthe gain slider G is moved downward. Of course, the gain slider G is notlimited to such functions; for example, in the case where the gainadjustment by the gain slider G is carried out by performing thepredetermined arithmetic operation using the preset special table, thefunctions of the gain slider G may be set to permit a picture displaysuch that the input video picture is imparted with a novel effect suchas an inverse video effect, the input video picture may be caused to betransparent with respect to an overlapping video picture instead ofblacking out (namely, the video picture input via the correspondingchannel in this case is treated as if it were not present), or the inputvideo picture may be displayed in a picture-in-picture (PinP) mode withan upper-order layer prevented from being mixed with a portion of alower-order layer.

By virtue of the provision of the above-described switches forcontrolling the video picture signals input via the channels CH1-CH8 onthe channel-by-channel basis, the video picture signals input via thechannels CH1-CH8 can be synthesized at a desired synthesis ratiocorresponding to operation of the switches, so that the human operatoris allowed to readily enhance expression of an output video picture.

As also seen in FIG. 2, the panel operator unit 4A further includes aplurality of LEDs L1 disposed immediately above the respective “Vsize”switches Vs, and the LEDs L1 are each operable to ascertain a signalinput via the corresponding channel CH1-CH8. Namely, from illuminatingstates of these LEDs L1, the human operator can ascertain, for each ofthe channels CH1-CH8, whether there has been input a video picturesignal via the corresponding channel. For example, the LED L1 isilluminated or blinked if there has been input a video picture signalvia the corresponding channel, but left turned off or deilluminated,without being illuminated or blinked, if there has been input no videopicture signal via the corresponding channel. In case any one of theLEDs L1 is left turned off or deilluminated although there has beeninput a video picture signal via the corresponding channel, this meansthat there is some faulty connection in the channel or a reproducingmedium for the channel is malfunctioning. In such a case, the humanoperator can readily identify the channel having that inconvenience, onthe basis of the illuminated (or blinked) and deilluminated states ofthe LEDs L1. Further, in a music concert, discotheque club or the likewhere the human operator has to perform picture inputting operation,such as depression of a video reproduction switch, under low lightconditions, an operation error, such as a failure to display a videopicture due to human operator's forgetting about depression of apredetermined switch, can be advantageously discovered prior to a changefrom one screen to another.

Further, another plurality of LEDs L2 are disposed immediately below alabel “solo/cue/preview” in a lower region of the operator unit 4A. Whena later-described “solo/cue/preview” switching button MC of the mainswitch group MS has been depressed to change one function to another,any one of the LEDs L2 immediately below the other function is turned onor illuminated. For example, when the solo function (or cue or previewfunction) has been selected, only the LED L2 immediately below the label“solo” (or “cue” or “preview”) is illuminated. In this way, the humanoperator can readily ascertain in which one of the solo/cue/previewfunctions the video mixer apparatus VM is now operating.

The following paragraphs describe various switches of the main switchgroup MS. As shown in FIG. 2, the main switch group MS includes thefirst to eight scene buttons Sc1-Sc8, scene store button St, edit buttonE, play button P, jog dial JD, arrow buttons (“ ”“ ”“ ” and “ ” buttons)Aa-Ad, master “Ygain” switch MY, master “Cbgain” switch Mcb, master“Crgain” switch Mcr, “solo/cue/preview” switching button MC,ribbon-controller-operated upper channel setting button Ru,ribbon-controller-operated lower channel setting button RI, ribboncontroller Rc, and master gain slider MG. These switches of the mainswitch group MS are used for making various settings to control a videopicture signal, i.e. a signal resulting from synthesis of video picturesignals input via the channels CH1-CH8, that is to be supplied to amaster channel (i.e., an output channel).

The scene buttons Sc1-Sc8 and scene store button St are operable toretain settings of the individual switches of a predetermined one ofswitch groups on the panel operator unit 4A at a time point when thesebuttons are operated. Namely, if any one of the scene buttons Sc1-Sc8 isdepressed while the scene store button St is being depressed, thecurrent settings of the individual switches can be stored in associationwith any one of the scene buttons Sc1-Sc8. Then, if only the one of thescene buttons Sc1-Sc8 is depressed after the switch setting storage, thesettings of the individual switches of the predetermined switch group onthe operator unit 4A, stored in association with the scene button, canbe reproduced.

The edit button E is operable to set the entire video mixer apparatus VMin an edit mode. In this embodiment, the edit mode is a parameterediting mode in which the user or human operator is allowed to set orchange parameters (such as mathematical expressions and values) to beused for arithmetical or logical operations on the Y, Cr and Cb signalsof the individual channels CH1-CH8. Specifically, mathematicalexpressions such as addition and subtraction in the case of thearithmetical operations, and logical expressions such as AND, OR and XORin the case of logical operations can be set or changed using, asmathematical values, numerical values of desired eight bits of the Y, Crand Cb signals. The play button P is operable to set the video mixerapparatus VM in a play mode to permit video picture editing. The videomixer apparatus VM is normally set in the play mode in response topowering-on of the apparatus VM, and thus the play button P, after thepowering-on, is used primarily for terminating the edit mode to set theapparatus VM back to the play mode. The jog dial JD is an rotaryoperator that is used for increasing or decreasing arithmetic values forrespective desired values (eight-bit binary numbers) of the Y, Cr and Cbsignals or changing mathematical expressions as it is turned by the useror human operator, for example, in the edit mode. In other words, thejog dial JD is used for setting or changing parameter values with whicharithmetic or logical operations are to be performed for the Y, Cr andCb signals of the individual channels.

The “ ” button Aa is operable to move upward a cursor to point to anobject to be changed or edited in the edit mode, the “ ” button Ab isoperable to move downward the cursor in the edit mode, the “ ” button Acis operable to move rightward the cursor in the edit mode, and the “ ”button Ad is operable to move leftward the cursor in the edit mode.Namely, by moving the cursor on the display device 5A in any of theupward, downward, rightward and leftward directions using any of thearrow buttons Aa-Ad, the user or human operator can select an object (Ysignal, Cr signal, Cb signal or the like) for which specific parametersare to be set or changed in the edit mode, as will be later described indetail.

The master “Ygain” switch MY is operable to adjust the gain of the Ysignal of the master channel. The gain of the Y signal is calculatedfrom a preset special table or by operating the table on the basis ofthe logical or arithmetic operation having been set in the edit mode.The master “Cbgain” switch MCb is operable to adjust the gain of the Cbsignal of the master channel. The gain of the Cb signal is calculatedfrom a preset special table or by operating the table on the basis ofthe logical or arithmetic operation having been set in the edit mode.The master “Crgain” switch MCr is operable to adjust the gain of the Crsignal of the master channel. The gain of the Cr signal is alsocalculated from a preset special table or by operating the table on thebasis of the logical or arithmetic operation having been set in the editmode. The “solo/cue/preview” switching button MC is operable to selectany one of the solo, cue and preview functions to be performed by thevideo mixer VM. Shift can be made between the solo, cue and previewfunctions in the mentioned order each time the switching button MC isdepressed. More specifically, when the video mixer apparatus VM is inthe solo function mode, a last operated (most-recently operated) channelCH1-CH8 is selected (the first channel CH1 is selected at the veryinitial stage), and the mixer apparatus VM awaits operation, by the useror human operator, of the “solo/cue/preview” button SCP. Once the“solo/cue/preview” button SCP for the selected channel CH1-CH8 isoperated, only a video picture input via the selected channel isselected and displayed on the audience display device 5A. Because such avideo picture is displayed along with information indicative of adisplayed position, size, etc. of the video picture, the solo functioncan be suitably used, for example, in a case where the human operator orthe like desires to ascertain which channel is located in whichposition. When the mixer apparatus VM is in the cue function mode, videopictures of all of the eight channels CH1-CH8 are simultaneouslydisplayed on a single screen, with the video pictures of two channelsarranged per vertical column on the screen and the video pictures offour channels arranged per horizontal row on the screen. Once the“solo/cue/preview” buttons SCP for the channels CH1-CH8 are operated inthe cue function mode, the input video pictures of all the channelsCH1-CH8 are delivered to monitor lines for simultaneous display on themonitor, so that it is possible for the human operator to visuallyascertain what the input video pictures are like. Further details ofthese functions will be given later. The master gain slider (also called“master fader”) is operable to adjust a gain, hue and the like of themaster channel. The gain and hue of the master channel are calculatedfrom a preset special table or by operating the table on the basis ofthe logical or arithmetic operation having been set in the edit mode.

The individual switches of the sub-switch group SS and main switch groupMS on the panel operator unit 4A may be constructed as moving operators(i.e., moving faders), and when the settings of the switches of apredetermined switch group on the panel operator unit 4A are to bereproduced in response to operation of any one of the scene buttonsSc1-Sc8, the switches may be automatically moved from the currentpositions or settings to the to-be-reproduced positions or settings. Bythus constructing the individual switches as moving operators so as tooperate in an automatic fashion, it is possible to automatically movethe individual switches upward or downward in response to a shift fromone scene to another executed by operation of any one of the scenebuttons Sc1-Sc8. Because the individual switches are moved to follow therespective settings of the switches for reproducing the scene stored inassociation with the operated scene button Sc1-Sc8 as set forth above,the human operator can appropriately manipulate the switches to edit thescene. Thus, it is possible to prevent an accident that an unexpectedvideo picture is output due to variation in one or more particularvalues unexpected by the human operator when the human operator operatesthe switches to edit the scene. Of course, the individual switches neednot necessarily be constructed as moving operators, and the currentsettings of the switches may be replaced with the settings of theindividual switches for reproducing a scene stored in association withthe operated scene button Sc1-Sc8.

Now, the following paragraphs describe the solo, cue and previewfunctions, with reference to FIG. 4 that is a conceptual diagramexplanatory of the solo, cue and preview functions. As noted above, thecue and preview functions are intended to display a video picture on thedisplay device 5A for the human operator, while the solo function isintended to display a video picture on the audience display device 5A.By operating the “solo/cue/preview” switching button MC, the humanoperator can sequentially switch between the solo, cue and previewfunctions. Here, these functions are explained in relation to a casewhere video pictures are input via four channels CH1-CH4. Further,although the video pictures input via the channels CH1-CH3 are shownseparately in FIG. 4, these video pictures are, in practice, displayedtogether on the screen as a single synthesized video picture; on an“original screen” shown in the figure, overlapping portions of the inputvideo pictures represent a synthesized area of the video pictures.

First, a description is made about the solo function. When videopictures input via the channels CH1-CH3 are synthesized and delivered tothe audience display device 5A, an “original screen” is displayed to theaudience in a manner as shown in an upper left section of FIG. 4.Namely, in this case, the original screen shows a single video pictureobtained by synthesizing the input video pictures of the channelsCH1-CH3. If only the video picture of the first channel CH1 constitutingthe original screen is to be displayed to the audience, the humanoperator depresses the “solo/cue/preview” switching button MC to placethe video mixer apparatus VM in the solo function mode, in response towhich the LED L2 immediately below the indication “solo” is turned on.When the human operator depresses the “solo/cue/preview” button SCPcorresponding to a desired one of the channels (e.g., channel CH1) underthis condition, only the video picture input via the channel CH1, forwhich the “solo/cue/preview” button SCP has been depressed, is displayedon the audience display device in a position designated via the “Vpos”and “Hpos” switches corresponding to the channel CH1, with a sizedesignated via the “Vsize” and “Hsize” switches and a luminance and huedesignated via the corresponding hue, “Ygain”, “Cbgain”, “Crgain”switches and gain slider (“solo screen”). Namely, the solo function is afunction for selecting only one input video picture of a singleparticular channel selected from among a plurality of video picturesconstituting a synthesized video picture and displaying the selectedvideo picture to the audience. This solo function is useful in that thehuman operator can use the solo function to display only an input videopicture of a desired channel in a desired display style.

Next, a description is made about the cue function. When video picturesinput via the channels CH1-CH3 are synthesized and delivered to theaudience display device 5A, an “original screen” as shown in the upperleft section of FIG. 4 is displayed to the audience. Of course, the samescreen is displayed to the human operator. However, if contents of thevideo picture input via one of the channels (e.g., first channel CH1)are to be changed, the human operator can not ascertain from theoriginal screen alone which of the input video pictures is of the firstchannel CH1. Thus, the human operator depresses the “solo/cue/preview”switching button MC to place the video mixer apparatus VM in the cuefunction mode, in response to which the LED L2 immediately below theindication “cue” is turned on. When the human operator depresses the“solo/cue/preview” button SCP corresponding to the channel CH1 underthis condition, the video picture input via the channel CH1 is displayedto the human operator with a frame thicker than frames of the videopictures input via the other channels CH2 and CH3 (“cue screen”).Namely, the cue function is a function for selecting only one inputvideo picture of a single particular channel selected from among aplurality of video pictures constituting a synthesized video picture anddisplaying the selected video picture to the human operator inaccordance with a designated position and size in such a manner as todistinguish the selected video picture of the particular channel fromthe video pictures input via the other channels. This cue function isuseful in that it allows the human operator to promptly ascertain inwhich positions on the screen the individual video pictures input viathe channels have been placed and synthesized.

For the cue function, there may be provided touch sensors incorresponding relation to the gain sliders corresponding to the channelsCH1-CH8 so that once the human operator only touches any one of the gainsliders, only the video picture input via one of the channelscorresponding to the touched gain slider is selected and displayed tothe human operator in accordance with a designated position and size insuch a manner as to distinguish the selected video picture from thevideo pictures input via the other channels. Instead of being displayeddistinguishably with a thicker frame alone, the selected video picturemay be displayed not only with a different frame but also in a differentcolor, such as a red color, from the video pictures input via the otherchannels. Further, the frame of the video picture input via theparticular channel may be of any desired color, and the frame color maybe differentiated between the channels.

Further, a description is made about the preview function. When videopictures input via the channels CH1-CH3 are synthesized and delivered tothe audience display device 5A, an “original screen” is displayed to theaudience as shown in the upper left section of FIG. 4. If the videopicture input via the fourth channel CH4 is to be synthesized with thesynthesized video picture of the channels CH1-CH3, the human operatormay desire to synthesize these video pictures after ascertaining, inadvance, respective displayed positions, sizes and contents of the videopictures. Thus, in such a case, the human operator depresses the“solo/cue/preview” switching button MC to place the video mixerapparatus VM in the preview function mode, in response to which the LEDL2 immediately below the indication “preview” is turned on. When thehuman operator depresses the “solo/cue/preview” button SCP correspondingto the fourth channel CH4 under this condition, only the video pictureinput via the selected fourth channel CH4 is displayed to the humanoperator (“preview screen”). Namely, even when the gain slidercorresponding to the selected channel (in this case, fourth channel CH4)whose input video picture is to be newly synthesized (and hence settingsare normally made for displaying a sheer black video picture for theselected channel), the preview function can display to the humanoperator exactly the same video picture as when the corresponding gainslider is in a predetermined reference position (e.g., a positionallowing display of the input original video picture itself. If thethus-synthesized video picture is to be displayed to the audience aftertermination of the preview function mode, the synthesized video picturecan not be displayed to the audience unless the gain slider is movedupward from the lowest position. Namely, the preview function is afunction for displaying only a video picture to be newly synthesizedwith an already-synthesized video pictures of other channels so that thehuman operator can ascertain, in advance, a displayed position and sizeof the video picture to be newly synthesized. This preview function isvery useful in that it allows the human operator to promptly makeadjustment as to with which size and in which position on the screen thevideo picture to be newly synthesized should be displayed for picturesynthesis.

Referring back to FIG. 2, the ribbon-controller-operated upper channelsetting button Ru is operable to set any desired one of the channelsCH1-CH8 as an upper channel for which a synthesis ratio is to bemanipulated with the ribbon controller Rc, by being depressed along withthe “solo/cue/preview” button SCP corresponding to the desired channel.Similarly, the ribbon-controller-operated lower channel setting buttonRl is operable to set any desired one of the channels CH1-CH8 as a lowerchannel for which the synthesis ratio is to be manipulated with theribbon controller Rc, by being depressed along with the“solo/cue/preview” button SCP corresponding to the desired channel. Theribbon controller Rc employed in this embodiment is a conventionalcontact-type controller, and the human operator can instantaneously varythe synthesis ratio between video picture signals of the two channels(i.e., ribbon-controller-operated upper channel andribbon-controller-operated lower channel Ru and Rl) having been set bythe ribbon-controller-operated upper channel setting button Ru andribbon-controller-operated lower channel setting button Rl,respectively, by just touching an appropriate position of the ribboncontroller Rc with his or her finger or the like. Of course, the humanoperator can continuously vary the synthesis ratio between the videopicture signals by continuously moving his or her finger on and alongthe ribbon controller Rc. Namely, the ribbon controller Rc is employedhere in place of the traditional T-Bar; however, unlike the traditionalT-Bar, the ribbon controller Rc can readily set a synthesis ratiobetween two channels to a desired value without having to becontinuously operated up to a position where a desired synthesis ratiocan be achieved. Further, because the human operator can set desiredones of the channels CH1-CH8 as the ribbon-controller-operated upperchannel Ru and ribbon-controller-operated lower channel Rl, the humanoperator can freely set a combination of video pictures (i.e.,combination of channels) for which the synthesis ratio is to be variedpromptly.

Further, gains of the desired channels having been thus set as theribbon-controller-operated upper channel and ribbon-controller-operatedlower channel Ru and Rl can be adjusted via the corresponding gainsliders G, and it goes without saying that variation in the synthesisratio by the operation of the ribbon controller Rc can be modified inaccordance with settings of the corresponding gain sliders G.

The following paragraphs describe a picture input circuit, picturemixing circuit, picture effect circuit and picture output circuit in thepicture processing section 6 of FIG. 1, with reference to FIG. 5 that isa block diagram showing an exemplary setup of the picture processingsection 6. In the illustrated example of FIG. 5, Y/C-separating A/Dconverters a1 and output-synchronizing frame buffers a2 constitute thepicture input circuit, adders b1 constitutes the picture mixing circuit,effect circuits a3 and b2 constitute the picture effect circuit, andoutput circuits b3 constitute the picture output circuit.

Channel section 6 a includes, for each of the first to eighth channelsCH1-CH8, one Y/C-separating A/D converter a1, output-synchronizing framebuffer a2 and effect circuit a3, and this channel section 6 a operatesin accordance with settings of the individual switches of the sub-switchgroup SS corresponding to the channels CH1-CH8. For each of the channelsCH1-CH8, the Y/C-separating A/D converter a1 (also called a “decoder” inthe field of video processing) is a device for converting an analogcomposite signal (i.e., a composite video picture signal comprising acombination of a video picture signal, burst and composite synchronizingsignal), input via one of input terminals VIDEO IN1-VIDEO IN8, intodigital component signals. Namely, by converting the composite videopicture signal into the component signals, the AND converter a1generates, from the composite video picture signal, three differentsignals: a luminance signal (Y signal); a color difference signal (Cbsignal); and a color difference signal (Cr signal). The frame buffer a2is a standalone dedicated device for displaying a digital video pictureon the display device 5A such as the liquid crystal display device (LCD)or cathode ray tube (CRT), and this frame buffer a2 is used by beingconnected to, for example, to a picture processing computer. Namely,each digital video picture received by the frame buffer a2 is stored inan inner frame memory of the picture processing computer, and then thepicture processing computer generates a signal to be supplied to thedisplay device 5A. In many cases, the picture processing computer isequipped with a function of storing a succession of video pictures toreproduce them as an animated picture, a zoom-in/out or scroll function,or a function of inserting a subtitle. Whereas video picture signals areinput asynchronously via the channels CH1-CH8 into the video mixerapparatus VM, the individual components of the mixer apparatus VM outputthe video picture signals at their respective independent timing, andthus, if no appropriate measures are taken, video pictures would beoutput in an disorderly manner due to absence of synchronismtherebetween. Thus, in the instant embodiment, video pictures aretemporarily stored in the frame buffer a2, and the thus-stored videopictures are all output from the frame buffer a2 ataccurately-calculated synchronized timing in order to prevent output ofdisorderly video pictures.

The effect circuit a3 is a circuit for synthesizing video pictures orchanging a displayed dimension or size and/or position of a designatedvideo picture. Specifically, the effect circuit a3 imparts predeterminedeffects to a designated video picture in accordance with settings of thepredetermined switches of the corresponding channel CH1-CH8, such as the“Vsize” switch Vs for designating a vertical dimension, “Vpos” switch Vpfor designating a vertical position, “Hsize” switch Hs for designating ahorizontal dimension, “Hpos” switch Hp designating a horizontalposition, hue switch H for designating a hue or tint, “Ygain” switch Yfor designating a luminance gain, “Cbgain” switch Cb for designating acolor difference gain, “Crgain” switch Cr for designating a colordifference gain and the gain slider G of the corresponding channel forsimultaneously changing the luminance and hue on the basis of the innertables of the Y (luminance) signal and Cr and Cb (color difference)signals.

Master section 6 b of FIG. 5 includes an adder circuit b1 for YUVsignals (one designation of luminance and color difference signals, andthe YUV signals are similar to YCrCb signals), a picture synthesizingeffect circuit b2 and an output encoder b3, which operates in accordancewith settings of the individual switches of the main switch group MS.The YUV-signal adder circuit b1 adds together signals of every pair ofthe eight channels CH1-CH8 to thereby generate signals of four channels,then adds together the signals of every two of the four channels tothereby generate signals of two channels, and then adds together signalsof the two channel to thereby generate a signal of just one channel.Namely, the YUV-signal adder circuit b1 is a circuit for mixing orsynthesizing video pictures input via the channels CH1-CH8 to create asingle video picture. The picture synthesizing effect circuit b2 impartsthe video picture, having been created by mixing or synthesizing theinput video pictures as noted above, effects in accordance with currentsettings of the master “Ygain” switch for changing the gain of the Y orluminance signal, master “Cbgain” switch for changing the gain of the Cbor color difference gain, master “Crgain” switch for changing the gainof the CR or color difference gain and the master gain slider forsimultaneously changing the gains of the Y, Cr and Cb signals (luminanceand color difference signals).

The output circuit b3, which comprises an NTSC encoder (commonly knownas “color encoder” in the field of video picture processing), creates acomposite signal from the component video picture signals, i.e. the Y,Cr and Cb signals, and outputs the thus-created composite signal via anoutput terminal (any one of terminals Vout1-Vout8, Monitorout, etc.) topredetermined picture display equipment. Note that the output circuit b3may include a matrix circuit, modulation circuit and/or the likealthough not specifically shown here. Further, each of the signalsoutput from the effect circuit a3 of the channel section 6 a need notnecessarily be passed via the adder circuit b1 and effect circuit b2 tothe output circuit b3, and it may of course be passed directly to theoutput circuit b3. For example, in the case where the above-describedsolo function, cue function or preview function is performed, each ofthe signals output from the effect circuit a3 of the channel section 6 ais passed directly to the output circuit b3. In this way, screen displaycan be implemented during execution of the solo function, cue functionor preview function.

In practice, the above-described video mixer apparatus VM is connectedwith a plurality of video picture input devices and video picture outputdevices, so that the mixer apparatus VM and picture input and outdevices are used as a single picture editing system. Therefore, thefollowing paragraphs describe the picture editing system using the videomixer apparatus VM of the present invention, with reference to FIG. 6that is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the picture editingsystem using the video mixer apparatus VM.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 6, the video mixer apparatus VMincludes input terminals VIDEO IN1-VIDEO IN8 for receiving compositesignals of eight channels. The composite signal input terminals andcomposite signal output terminals of desired external video picturedevices (picture input devices) are connected via RCA pin cables forvideo picture communication. For example, the first and second compositesignal input terminals VIDEO IN1 and VIDEO IN2 of the video mixerapparatus VM are connected via RCA pin cables with composite signaloutput terminals of video tape recorders VTR1 and VTR2. The video taperecorders VTR1 and VTR2 each reproduce, from a video tape, still oranimated pictures previously created by computer graphics on a personalcomputer, video pictures taken by a video camera, or video picturesrecorded from a TV or other media. The third composite signal inputchannel VIDEO IN3 is connected via an RCA pin cable with one of dualcomposite signal outputs of a video card attached to an expansion slotfor a video board, such as a PC1 slot or AGP slot, of a personalcomputer PC1. The fourth composite signal input channel VIDEO IN4 isconnected via an RCA pin cable to a converter device that converts asignal at a VGA output terminal of a personal computer PC2 into acomposite signal output. In the personal computers PC1 and PC2, thereare stored files of still or animated pictures previously created bycomputer graphics on the personal computer, video pictures taken by avideo camera, or video pictures recorded from a TV or other media. Thepersonal computers PC1 and PC2 each use software for VJ (Video Jockey)to read out a desired one of the files of the still or animatedpictures, and supplies the video mixer apparatus VM with preview videopicture signals of an output video picture domain to be displayed afterundergoing a special picture effect process such as a loop reproductionor division-into-four process.

The fifth and sixth composite signal input channels VIDEO IN5 and VIDEOIN6 of the video mixer apparatus VM are connected via RCA pin cableswith composite signal output terminals of digital video cameras DVC1 andDVC2. Each of the digital video cameras DVC1 and DVC2 not onlyreproduces, from a video tape, still or animated pictures previouslycreated by computer graphics on a personal computer, video picturestaken by a video camera or video pictures recorded from a TV or othermedia, but also supplies in real time the video mixer apparatus VM withvideo pictures of players of a band, DJ or audience present in a placeof a music concert or the like. The seventh composite signal inputchannel VIDEO IN7 of the video mixer apparatus VM is connected via anRCA pin cable with a composite signal output terminal of an LD/DVDplayer LD1. The LD/DVD player LD1 reproduces video pictures recorded ona commercially-available LD/DVD disk, still or animated picturespreviously created by computer graphics on a personal computer, videopictures taken by a video camera or video pictures recorded from a TV orother media. The eighth composite signal input channel VIDEO IN8 of thevideo mixer apparatus VM is connected via an RCA pin cable with acomposite signal output terminal of a home-use game machine GM1. Thehome-use game machine GM1 reproduces video pictures from acommercially-available game CD-ROM or DVD disk, still or animatedpictures previously created by computer graphics on a personal computer,video pictures taken by a video camera or video pictures recorded from aTV or other media.

The signal output terminal Monitorout of the video mixer apparatus VM isconnected via an S video cable or pin cable with an NTSC monitor MT1(picture output device) or the like. The NTSC monitor MT1 previews videopictures, with position and size information taken into account, whenthe solo function is selected, previews divided eight video picturescreens when the cue function is selected, and previews video picturesof only a particular channel when the particular channel is selected.

The composite signal output terminals Vout1-Vout8 (or S video outputterminals (not shown)) are connected, via RCA pin cables (or S videoterminal cable), with composite video picture input terminals (S videoinput terminals) of the NTSC monitor MT1, and also with composite videopicture input terminals (S video input terminals) of projectors PJ1-PJ8.Ultimate results of the video picture signals having beencomprehensively processed by the video mixer apparatus VM aretransmitted to the NTSC monitor MT1 or projectors PJ1-PJ8. The videopicture signals, transmitted to the projectors PJ1-PJ8, are projectedonto respective projector screens SC1-SC8 positioned about 2-50 m apartfrom the projectors PJ1-PJ8; in this case, the projectors PJ1-PJ8 eachproject a same video picture onto their respective screens SC1-SC8.

Instead of all the projectors PJ1-PJ8 projecting a same video pictureonto the screens SC1-SC8, the projectors PJ1-PJ8 may project, onto thescreens SC1-SC8, different portions of each video picture in a so-calledmulti-screen scheme. FIGS. 7A and 7B are conceptual diagrams explanatoryof a manner in which a video picture is projected in accordance with themulti-screen scheme. Specifically, FIG. 7A shows an input video picture,and FIG. 7B conceptually shows video picture projection by themulti-screen scheme. Here, it is assumed that the composite signal inputchannel VIDEO IN1 is connected with video equipment that reproducesvideo picture signals representing a star mark “ ” moving in aleft-to-right direction, and that the composite signal output terminalsVout1-Vout3 are connected with the projectors PJ1-PJ3.

In the case of video picture projection by the multi-screen scheme, andassuming that the composite signal output terminals Vout1-Vout3 havebeen selected as output terminals for the video picture signals, each ofthe input video pictures is output in horizontally expanded form with aleft ⅓ portion of the input video picture output from the outputterminal Vout1, a middle ⅓ portion of the input video picture outputfrom the output terminal Vout2 and a right ⅓ portion of the input videopicture output from the output terminal Vout3. Thus, the threeprojectors PJ1-PJ3, connected with the composite signal output terminalsVout1-Vout3, respectively, project the respective portions of each videopicture onto their screens SC1-SC3 as shown in FIG. 7B. In this way,video pictures can be projected onto the screens SC1-SC3 as if the starmark “ ” were moving continuously from the left end of the left screenSC1, through the middle screen SC2, to the right end of the right screenSC3. By thus displaying video outputs of two or more channels on aplurality of the screens in the multi-screen scheme, it is possible toenhance a feeling of picture expansion. As a consequence, there can beaccomplished the advantages that the entire place of the music concertor the like can be used efficiently in such a manner that more powerfulvideo pictures can be displayed across the entire place.

It should be appreciated that the picture editing system shown in FIG. 6may be constructed in any other suitable manner than theabove-described. For example, the media reproduced by the video taperecorder may be any one of a VHS (trademark) type video tape,(trademark) type video tape and 8 mm video tape, or S-VHS type videotape and DV (Digital Video) tape, etc. Further, the digital video cameramay be replaced with any other suitable video camera, such as an 8 mmvideo camera or simple video camera with no picture recording function.Furthermore, the picture editing system of FIG. 6 has been describedabove as attaching a video card having dual composite signal outputs toan expansion slot for a video board, such as a PCI or AGP slot. In analternative, two video cards each having a single (not dual) compositesignal output may be attached so that video pictures can be distributedto two channels, i.e. the monitor and the video picture output device.Moreover, there may be employed a video signal converting box forparallel connection, or the like. Furthermore, whereas the pictureediting system of FIG. 6 has been described above as employing thedevice for converting a VGA output from a personal computer into acomposite video picture output, the picture output device that can beincorporated in or connected to a personal computer may be of anydesired type and may be connected in any desired manner.

Furthermore, various settings of the video mixer apparatus VM of thepresent invention may be remote-controlled by an external personalcomputer. Namely, if the RS-232C terminal of the video mixer apparatusVM is connected, via a 9-pin reverse serial cable, with the RS-232Cterminal of the personal computer PC3 (FIG. 6), all of the operators onthe panel operator unit 4A can be fully remote-controlled by thepersonal computer PC3, and the personal computer PC3 can fully editvideo pictures using the video mixer apparatus VM. For example, a paneloperator unit, similar to the unit 4A of FIG. 2, may be displayed on adisplay of the personal computer PC3 so that a human operator of thepersonal computer PC3 can manipulate the displayed panel operator unitwith a mouse or the like; this way, the human operator of the personalcomputer PC3 can remote-control the panel operator unit 4A of the videomixer apparatus VM. Moreover, various data can be downloaded from anexternal personal computer to the video mixer apparatus VM of thepresent invention. For example, arithmetically-obtained output values ofthe YCrCb signals which correspond to various possible positions of thegain slider are preferably stored as table values in the RAM 3 of thevideo mixer apparatus VM; in such a case, the table values may becreated, in advance, by the personal computer PC3 and downloaded to thevideo mixer apparatus VM upon request. With this arrangement, thearithmetically-obtained output values of the YCrCb signals can becustom-set in association with the gain sliders having their respectiveindependent color variation tables corresponding to the channels, andthus the human operator or user of the video mixer apparatus VM canreadily create a dedicated channel for special effect impartment.

With the picture editing system using the video mixer apparatus VM ofthe invention as shown in FIG. 6, the human operator, such as a VJ, cancreate video pictures fitting a music scene by synthesizing a pluralityof input video pictures. Namely, for that purpose, the human operatoradjusts the luminance, hue and the like of video pictures of theindividual channels CH1-CH8 using the above-described hue, “Ygain”,“Cbgain”, “Crgain” switches and other operators of the sub-switch groupshown in FIG. 2. Further, the human operator makes adjustments to thevideo pictures by manipulating the gain sliders corresponding to theinput channels CH1-CH8 of the pictures in accordance with musicperformed by a band or DJ. Further, by appropriately insertingthus-adjusted video pictures and/or video pictures imparted with specialeffects such as a mosaic, posterization and film effect, it is possiblefor the displayed video pictures to further liven up a scene and, insome cases, play a role of providing total illumination.

Therefore, the following paragraphs describe video picture synthesisthat can be performed using the video mixer apparatus VM of the presentinvention, with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. FIG. 8 is a diagram showinga specific example of the picture synthesis that can be performed usingthe video mixer apparatus VM of the present invention. In theillustrated example of FIG. 8, first and second video tape recorders areconnected with the first and second channels CH1 and CH2 of the videomixer apparatus VM and a personal computer is connected with the thirdchannel CH3 so that video pictures are input from the video taperecorders VTR1 and VTR2 and personal computer to the video mixerapparatus VM.

The first video tape recorder (not shown) reproduces, from a video tapeinstalled therein, a background video picture with a plurality ofvarious figures of colors and shapes (in the illustrated example, fourfigures of circular, triangular, rectangular and start-like shapes)moving randomly (VTR1). The second video tape recorder (also not shown)reproduces, from a video tape installed therein, a video picture of a3-D CG character dancing (VTR2). Personal computer (also not shown)displays a text-only video picture indicating a title of an event andname of a DJ or VJ and home page URL or the like (EZ1) typed in by thehuman operator on the spot. For example, these video pictures VTR1, VTR2and EZ1 are input to the video picture input terminals VIDEO IN1-VIDEOIN3 (namely, first to third channels), respectively, of the video mixerapparatus VM. For each of the input terminals VIDEO IN1-VIDEO IN3(namely, first to third channels), the human operator adjusts the hue ofthe input video picture using the hue switch H, adjusts the luminance ofthe input video picture using the “Ygain” switch Y, and adjusts thecolor difference signals of the input video picture using the “Crgain”switch Cr and “Cbgain” switch Cb. Then, the human operator uses the gainsliders G corresponding to the input terminals VIDEO IN1 and VIDEO IN2to adjust a ratio of video picture synthesis between the first andsecond channels. By so doing, the picture of the dancing 3-D CGcharacter (VTR2) is incorporated into the background video picture of aplurality of the moving figures of various shapes and colors, and thusthere can be created a synthesized video picture (synthesis 1) thatlooks as if the character were dancing in the background. Then, bysynthesizing the thus-created video picture (synthesis 1) with thetext-only video picture indicating the event title and name of the DJ orVJ typed in by the human operator on the personal computer and videopicture indicating a home page URL or the like (EZ1) having been inputvia the third input terminals VIDEO IN3, there can be created a videopicture (synthesis 2) having the typed-in text floating in front of thebackground (VTR1) and dancing 3-D CG character (VTR2).

By appropriately adjusting the hue, “Ygain”, “Cbgain” and “Crgain”switches and gain sliders G corresponding to the input terminals VIDEOIN1-VIDEO IN3 as noted above, it is possible to create a new videopicture in real time through synthesis of video pictures input via thethree channels. In the thus-created video picture, the text can be morenoticeable by the human operator moving downward the gain sliders Gcorresponding to the first and second channel or performing otheroperation. Thus, the human operator can readily create video picturescapable of enhancing a trip feel of the audience by performing suchoperation when the rhythm gets scarce due to music by the DJ or when therhythm gets back to a normal state.

For example, in a case where the picture of the 3-D CG character and thepicture of the typed-in text are difficult to see due to overlaptherebetween, the human operator can make the textual video picture moreoutstanding by appropriately varying the synthesis ratio between thepictures. In such a case, it is possible to not only vary the synthesisratio between the pictures by adjusting the hue, “Ygain”, “Cbgain” and“Crgain” switches and gain sliders G corresponding to the second andthird channels, but also promptly change the synthesis ratio using theribbon controller Rc. More specifically, if the second channel isassigned as the ribbon-controller-operated upper channel Ru and thethird channel is assigned as the ribbon-controller-operated lowerchannel Rl, the human operator can readily and promptly performoperation, such as for making the text more noticeable than the 3-D CGcharacter or making the 3-D CG character more noticeable than the text,by changing the synthesis ratio as desired using the ribbon controllerRc. Further, a different video picture than that of the first channel isthen input via the fourth channel that is not being used for pictureentry, and the first channel is assigned as theribbon-controller-operated upper channel Ru while the fourth channel isassigned as the ribbon-controller-operated lower channel Rl. Thus, aslow and progressive change in the background video picture can be madefrom the one of the first channel with the plurality of figures ofvarious colors and shapes moving randomly to another one of the fourthchannel as the human operator slowly moves his or her finger on andalong the ribbon controller Rc from an upper end portion toward a lowerend portion thereof. Further, by the human operator touching portionsnear the upper and lower ends of the ribbon controller Rc alternatelywith different fingers, an instantaneous shift can be made in thebackground video picture between the one of the first channel with theplurality of figures of various colors and shapes moving randomly to theother one of the fourth channel. In this way, the human operator canenjoy a tricky VJ play conforming to the music performance.

Further, when the video pictures of the first and second channels areboth to be replaced other pictures, the gain sliders corresponding tothe first and second channels are moved downward while the gain slidercorresponding to the third channel is moved upward. Then, only thetextual video picture of the third channel is displayed, during whichtime the video tapes in the first and second video tape recorders arereplaced with other video tapes having recorded thereon video picturesto be newly input to the first and second channels, and then the otheror newly-installed video tapes are reproduced. Then, the“solo/cue/preview” button SCP is depressed to select the cue function,and thus the video picture of the first or second channel currently at apreparatory stage can be ascertained on the monitor provided for thehuman operator. During that time, the human operator can adjust anydesired one of the video pictures, using the hue, “Ygain”, “Cbgain” and“Crgain” switches and gain sliders G corresponding to the correspondingfirst or second channel, in accordance with an ideal image of a videopicture to be output.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing another specific example of the picturesynthesis that can be performed using the video mixer apparatus VM ofthe present invention. In the illustrated example of FIG. 9, six digitalvideo cameras (hereinafter, first to eight cameras) are connected to thefirst to sixth channels, respectively, of the video mixer apparatus VM,so that video outputs from the first to sixth cameras are supplied tothe video mixer apparatus VM. For example, close-up video pictures offirst to sixth performers (P1-P6) are taken by the first to sixthcameras, respectively, while video pictures of the entire place of themusic concert, such as those of the audience, (P5 and P6) are taken bythe fifth and sixth cameras. Specifically, in the case of a musicconcert where a band performance is carried out on a stage, the first tosixth cameras may take different video pictures, for example, with thefirst camera shooting a vocalist, the second camera shooting aguitarist, the third camera shooting a bass guitarist, the fourth camerashooting a drummer, the fifth camera shooting a close-up of the audienceand the sixth camera shooting an entire audience.

Then, a first scene S1 is created as follows.

As regards the first channel, a new video picture of the first performerP1 having a new size is created by reducing the horizontal dimension(“Hsize”) of the input video picture (P1) by a factor of 2 (1/2 of theoriginal horizontal dimension), reducing the vertical dimension(“Vsize”) of the input video picture by a factor of 2, setting thehorizontal position (“Hpos”) of the input video picture to “0” andsetting the vertical position (“Vpos”) of the input video picture to“0”, and the thus-created video picture P1 a is placed in an upper leftarea of a displayed screen. As regards the second channel, a new videopicture of the second performer P2 having a new size is created byreducing the horizontal dimension (“Hsize”) of the input video picture(P2) by a factor of 2, reducing the vertical dimension (“Vsize”) by afactor of 2, setting the horizontal position (“Hpos”) to “0” and settingthe vertical position (“Vpos”) to “4”, and the thus-created videopicture P2 a is placed in a lower left area of the displayed screen. Asregards the third channel, a new video picture of the third performer P3having a new size is created by reducing the horizontal dimension(“Hsize”) of the input video picture (P3) by a factor of 2, reducing thevertical dimension (“Vsize”) by a factor of 2, setting the horizontalposition (“Hpos”) to “4” and setting the vertical position (“Vpos”) to“0”, and the thus-created video picture P3 a is placed in an upper rightarea of the displayed screen. Further, as regards the fourth channel, anew video picture of the fourth performer P4 having a new size iscreated by reducing the horizontal dimension (“Hsize”) of the inputvideo picture (P4) by a factor of 2, reducing the vertical dimension(“Vsize”) by a factor of 2, setting the horizontal position (“Hpos”) to“4” and setting the vertical position (“Vpos”) to “4”, and thethus-created video picture P4 a is placed in a lower right area of thedisplayed screen.

After that, a second scene S2 is created as follows.

As regards the first channel, a new video picture of the first performerP1 having a vertically elongated shape is created by reducing thehorizontal dimension (“Hsize”) of the input video picture (P1) by afactor of 8 (1/8 of the original horizontal dimension), leaving thevertical dimension (“Vsize”) unchanged from the original verticaldimension, setting the horizontal position (“Hpos”) of the input videopicture to “2” and setting the vertical position (“Vpos”) of the inputvideo picture to “0”, and the thus-created video picture P1 b is placedin a predetermined area of a displayed screen. As regards the secondchannel, a new video picture of the second performer P2 having avertically elongated shape is created by reducing the horizontaldimension (“Hsize”) of the input video picture (P2) by a factor of 8(1/8 of the original horizontal dimension), leaving the verticaldimension (“Vsize”) unchanged from the original vertical dimension,setting the horizontal position (“Hpos”) to “3” and setting the verticalposition (“Vpos”) to “0”, and the thus-created video picture P2 b isplaced in a predetermined area of the displayed screen. As regards thethird channel, a new video picture of the third performer P3 having avertically elongated shape is created by reducing the horizontaldimension (“Hsize”) of the input video picture (P2) by a factor of 8,leaving the vertical dimension (“Vsize”) unchanged from the originalvertical dimension, setting the horizontal position (“Hpos”) to “4” andsetting the vertical position (“Vpos”) to “0”, and the thus-createdvideo picture P3 b is placed in a predetermined area of the displayedscreen. Further, as regards the fourth channel, a new video picture ofthe fourth performer P4 having a vertically elongated shape is createdby reducing the horizontal dimension (“Hsize”) of the input videopicture (P4) by a factor of 8, leaving the vertical dimension (“Vsize”)unchanged from the original vertical dimension, setting the horizontalposition (“Hpos”) to “5” and setting the vertical position (“Vpos”) to“0”, and the thus-created video picture P4 b is placed in apredetermined area of the displayed screen. As regards the fifthchannel, a new close-up video picture of the audience P5 having avertically elongated shape is created by reducing the horizontaldimension (“Hsize”) of the input video picture (P5) by a factor of 4,leaving the vertical dimension (“Vsize”) unchanged from the originalvertical dimension, setting the horizontal position (“Hpos”) to “0” andsetting the vertical position (“Vpos”) to “0”, and the thus-createdvideo picture P5 b is placed in a predetermined area of the displayedscreen. Further, as regards the sixth channel, a new video picture ofthe entire audience P6 having a vertically elongated shape is created byreducing the horizontal dimension (“Hsize”) of the input video picture(P6) by a factor of 4, leaving the vertical dimension (“Vsize”)unchanged from the original vertical dimension, setting the horizontalposition (“Hpos”) to “6” and setting the vertical position (“Vpos”) to“0”, and the thus-created video picture P6 b is placed in apredetermined area of the displayed screen. Then, the human operatorappropriately adjusts the luminance and hue of each of the videopictures by use of the hue, “Ygain”, “Cbgain” and “Crgain” switches andgain slider G corresponding to the channel of the picture, whilechecking balance between the video pictures of the individual channelspresented on the screen. After that, the human operator depresses thesecond scene button Sc2 while depressing the scene store button St sothat the created scene S2 is stored in memory.

As described above, a shift can be made between the solo function andthe cue function by depression of the “solo/cue/preview” button SCP.When any one of the channels is selected in the solo function mode, avideo picture of the selected channel is sent out to the monitor linealong with information representative of a position and size of thepicture, the human operator can readily ascertain the designatedposition of the picture. Further, in the cue function mode, informationrepresentative eight screens is sent out to the monitor lines in dividedform prior to a channel selection, and once any one of the channels isselected, a video picture of the selected channel is displayed on theentire screen. Further, in the edit mode, logical operations may beperformed on the first to fourth channels, independently of each other,using values specific to the “Ygain”, “Cbgain” and “Crgain”, or settingsmay be made for replacing the “Cbgain” and “Crgain”. Further, by varyingthe “Ygain”, “Cbgain” and “Crgain” in realtime, it is possible to outputthe individual video pictures with different characteristics.

By storing a plurality of variations of screen arrangement patterns,such as those of the first scene S1 and second scene S2, created in theabove-described manner, and then reading out a desired one of the videopicture arrangement patterns using one of the scene buttons Sc1-Sc8, aprompt switch can be made between video picture screens having differentvideo picture arrangement patterns. Namely, according to the instantembodiment of the present invention, settings (scenes) that allowindividual input video pictures to be displayed in respective desiredpositions of an output screen with respective desired sizes can bestored as screen arrangement pattern data in an internal storage deviceof the video mixer apparatus VM or an external storage device, and anydesired one of the scenes can be reproduced by reading out thecorresponding screen arrangement pattern data through simple one-touchoperation.

Finally, a specific description will be made about details of settingoperations in the edit mode which can set details of parameters to beused for performing arithmetic or logical operations on the Y(luminance) signal and Cr and Cb (color difference) signals of theindividual channels. Upon depression of the edit button E of FIG. 2, thevideo mixer apparatus VM is placed in the edit mode, and a screen isdisplayed to the human operator. FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram showingan example of the screen displayed when the edit mode is selected bydepression of the edit button E. Using the thus-displayed screen, thehuman operator can change the gain of any one of the Y, Cr and Cbsignals that are determined on the basis of the respective tables storedfor controlling the master channels and input channels CH1-CH8. In theillustrated example, “Y”, “Cb” and “Cr” represents signal types in theYCrCb signals, “AND”, “OR” and “XOR” represent logical operationexpressions, and “00001111”, “10110010” and “01101100” representoperating values used in the logical operation expressions.

The human operator designates a particular one of the logical operationexpressions, operating values and other items that is to be changed, byusing any of the arrow switches Aa-Ab (FIG. 2) to move the cursor; inthe illustrated example of FIG. 10, the item to be changed is denoted bya hatched rectangular block. When one of the logical operationexpressions is selected as an object to be changed, the “AND”, “OR” or“XOR” can be switched to another logical operation expression separatelyfor each type of signal. When one of operating values for use in thelogical operation expressions is selected as an object to be changed, anumerical value represented by the bit row in question can be increasedor decreased, for example, by use of the jog dial JD or by direct entryof a desired numerical value. Combination of the logical operationexpression and operating value having been changed in this manner isstored in an operation table separately for each of the channelsCH1-CH8. Thus, settings of the respective gains of the Y, Cr and Cbsignals can be changed by performing special operations on the gainsettings based on the special tables that are read out in accordancewith operated amounts of the Y, Cr and Cb signals for each of thechannels CH1-CH8. For example, irrespective of contents of the upperfour bits (in the range of “0000”-“1111”) of the Y signal in the specialtable read out in accordance with an operated amount of the “Ygain”switch, the upper four bits of the Y signal to be output always take“0000”, and thus the luminance does not vary greatly even if theoperated amount of the “Ygain” switch is increased. For example, if theconstant to be used in the logical operation expression for the Y signalis “11111111”, a value of the Y signal read out from the special tableis used as it is. Namely, by thus allowing the human operator to freelychange the gain variation of each of the signals, the human operator canmanipulate the switches of the operator unit with increased flexibilityor freedom, and the human operator is advantageously allowed to freelycreate a video picture fitting his, or her operational feeling or aspecial video picture unexpectable from his or her operational feeling.

It should be appreciated that the operational expressions to be used fordetermination of the gain may be arithmetic operational expressions,such as “ADD” (addition) and “SUB” (subtraction), other than the logicaloperational expressions.

Further, on the screen displayed when the edit mode is selected, an item“CrCb SWAP” is shown so that the human operator can set either “ON” or“OFF” for this item. Namely, the “CrCb SWAP” item is displayed forreplacing the input Cr signal and input Cb signal with each other. Thatis, when the “CrCb SWAP” item is set to “ON”, replacement between theinput Cr signal and input Cb signal is executed. Namely, after the “CrCbSWAP” item is set to “ON”, the Cr signal is treated as the Cb signalwhile the Cb signal is treated as the Cr signal, so that gain curves(special tables) of the Cr and Cb signals reflecting operated amounts ofthe corresponding switches are replaced with each other.

Whereas the embodiment of the video mixer apparatus VM has beendescribed so far only in relation to video picture synthesis, the mixerapparatus VM may be arranged to process sound signals simultaneouslywith video picture signals.

Further, the screens, on which video pictures are projected, may have aspecial shape, such as a spherical shape, rather than being limited to aflat shape alone. Furthermore, it is not always necessary to employdedicated screens, and video pictures may be projected onto a ceiling,wall or other object in place of or in addition to the screens.

Furthermore, whereas the embodiment of the invention has been describedabove as progressively varying the displayed position or size of a videopicture in seven or eight steps, the video mixer apparatus may bemodified to vary the displayed position or size in finer or coarsersteps, or vary the displayed position or size continuously rather thanstepwise.

Furthermore, whereas the embodiment of the invention has been describedabove as being capable of storing up to eight scenes, the video mixerapparatus may be modified to store nine or more scenes by combined useof a plurality of keys.

Moreover, whereas the video mixer apparatus of the invention has beendescribed above in relation to the embodiment having groups of switchesprovided in corresponding to the channels CH1-CH8, there may be providedonly one group of switches, and this single switch group may be sharedamong the channels CH1-CH8. Namely, the video mixer apparatus of theinvention may be arranged to assign the single switch group to varioussetting operations only for video signals input via a selected one ofthe channels CH1-CH8.

It should also be appreciated that video picture signals input via aplurality of channels to the video mixer apparatus of the invention maybe in digital form rather than in analog form. Further, the input videopicture signals may be other than YCrCb signals, such as RGB signals, aslong as the signals can represent the luminance and hue of videopictures. However, if compatibility with a black-and-white television isconsidered, the YCrCb signals, having the luminance signal and the colordifference signals separated from each other, are more advantageous thanthe RGB signals for the following reasons. Namely, human eyes have theinherent characteristics that they can readily recognize a variation ofluminance but can not readily recognize a fine variation of color. Thus,even a video picture based on signals obtained by compressing colordifference signals (e.g., Cr and Cb signals) representative of a slightcolor variation is identified by the human eye to be just the same as avideo picture based on non-compressed signals. Thus, compressing thecolor difference signals is advantageous in that it can save frequencybands necessary for transmitting and recording the video signals.Further, using the YCrCb signals is more advantageous than using the RGBsignals in that it can simplify the luminance- and hue-gain determiningoperations performed in accordance with the special tables andoperational tables for each of the channels.

In summary, the present invention affords the following benefits. Thepresent invention is arranged such that a single video mixer apparatuscan, by itself, create a video picture by mixing video picture signalsinput via three or more channels and perform control, such as effectimpartment, independently on each input video picture signal. Further,because the present invention is arranged to promptly change a synthesisratio between two desired channels selected from among three or morechannels, it can promptly mix, at a desired synthesis ratio, videopictures input via three or more channels through simple operation.

The present invention relates to the subject matter of Japanese PatentApplication No. 2001-054296 filed on Feb. 28, 2001, the disclosure ofwhich is expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

1. A video mixer apparatus comprising: a video-picture-signal inputsection that receives video picture signals via at least three or morechannels; at least three or more control instructing operators providedin corresponding relation to the at least three or more channels, eachof said control instructing operators being operable to give a signalcontrol instruction for a corresponding one of the channels inaccordance with an operated amount of the control instructing operator;a control section that performs signal control on the video picturesignals of individual ones of the channels on the basis of respectiveones of the signal control instructions given by said controlinstructing operators; and a video-picture-signal synthesis section thatsynthesizes the video picture signals of the individual channels havingbeen subjected to the signal control by said control section; a soloinstruction section that instructs a solo of a desired channel; and asolo control section that normally outputs the video picture signalssynthesized by said video-picture-signal synthesis section, wherein,when a solo has been instructed for any particular one of the channels,said solo control section outputs only the video picture signals of theparticular channel for which the solo has been instructed.
 2. A videomixer apparatus comprising: a video-picture-signal input section thatreceives video picture signals via at least three or more channels; atleast three or more control instructing operators provided incorresponding relation to the at least three or more channels, each ofsaid control instructing operators being operable to give a signalcontrol instruction for a corresponding one of the channels inaccordance with an operated amount of the control instructing operator;a control section that performs signal control on the video picturesignals of individual ones of the channels on the basis of respectiveones of the signal control instructions given by said controlinstructing operators; a video-picture-signal synthesis section thatsynthesizes the video picture signals of the individual channels havingbeen subjected to the signal control by said control section; a cueinstruction section that instructs a cue for a desired channel; and acue control section that, when a cue has been instructed for anyparticular one of the channels, controls the video picture signals ofthe particular channel to be displayed in a fashion distinguished fromthe video picture signals of the other channels during display of thevideo picture signals synthesized by said video-picture signal synthesissection.
 3. A video mixer apparatus as claimed in claim 2 which furthercomprises an output section that constantly outputs the video picturesignals, synthesized by said video-picture-signal section, to a screenseparate from a screen that displays the video picture signals of theparticular channel under control of said cue control section.
 4. A videomixer apparatus comprising: a video-picture-signal input section thatreceives video picture signals via at least three or more channels; atleast three or more control instructing operators provided incorresponding relation to the at least three or more channels, each ofsaid control instructing operators being operable to give a signalcontrol instruction for a corresponding one of the channels inaccordance with an operated amount of the control instructing operator;a control section that performs at least gain control on the videopicture signals of individual ones of the channels on the basis ofrespective ones of the signal control instructions given by said controlinstructing operators; a video-picture-signal synthesis section thatsynthesizes the video picture signals of the individual channels havingbeen subjected to the signal control by said control section; a previewinstruction section that instructs a preview of a desired channel; and apreview control section that normally outputs the video picture signalssynthesized by said video-picture-signal synthesis section, wherein,when a preview of any particular one of the channels has beeninstructed, said preview control section outputs only the video picturesignals of the particular channel on condition that the gain of theparticular channel in said control section is a predetermined gain.
 5. Avideo mixer apparatus as claimed in claim 4 which further comprises anoutput section that constantly outputs the video picture signals,synthesized by said video-picture-signal synthesis section, to a screenseparate from a screen that displays the video picture signals undercontrol of said preview control section.
 6. A video mixer apparatuscomprising: a video-picture-signal input section that receives videopicture signals via at least three or more channels; at least three ormore control instructing operators provided in corresponding relation tothe at least three or more channels, each of said control instructingoperators being operable to give a signal control instruction for acorresponding one of the channels in accordance with an operated amountof the control instructing operator; a storage section that storessignal control information for each of the channels; a change sectionthat changes the signal control information stored in said storagesection in response to operation of any of said control instructingoperators; a control section that performs signal control on the videopicture signals of individual ones of the channels on the basis of thesignal control information of the individual channels stored in saidstorage section; a video-picture-signal synthesis section thatsynthesizes the video picture signals of the individual channels havingbeen subjected to the signal control by said control section; a scenememory that, in accordance with a scene storage instruction, stores, asone scene, the signal control information of the individual channelsstored in said storage section; and a scene call section that, inaccordance with a scene call instruction, calls the signal controlinformation of the one scene from said scene memory and stores thecalled signal control information into said storage section.
 7. A videomixer apparatus comprising: a video-picture-signal input section thatreceives video picture signals via at least three or more channels; atleast three or more control instructing operators provided incorresponding relation to the at least three or more channels, each ofsaid control instructing operators being operable to give a signalcontrol instruction for a corresponding one of the channels inaccordance with an operated amount of the control instructing operator,wherein said operators are arranged in a plurality of vertical rowscorresponding to the channels and horizontally separated from eachother, each of the vertical rows, corresponding to a different one ofthe channels, including a plurality of vertically-arranged operatorscorresponding to a plurality of parameters; a control section thatperforms signal control on the video picture signals of individual onesof the channels on the basis of respective ones of the signal controlinstructions given by said control instructing operators; and avideo-picture-signal synthesis section that synthesizes the videopicture signals of the individual channels having been subjected to thesignal control by said control section.
 8. A video mixer apparatus asclaimed in claim 7 wherein a size-controlling operator is among theoperators provided for each of the channels.
 9. A video mixer apparatusas claimed in claim 7 wherein a position-controlling operator is amongthe operators provided for each of the channels.
 10. A video mixerapparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein a hue-controlling operator isamong the operators provided for each of the channels.
 11. A video mixerapparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein a Y-signal-controlling operatoris among the operators provided for each of the channels.
 12. A videomixer apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein a Cb-signal-controllingoperator is among the operators provided for each of the channels.
 13. Avideo mixer apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein aCr-signal-controlling operator is among the operators provided for eachof the channels.
 14. A video mixer apparatus as claimed in claim 7wherein a channel-selecting operator is among the operators provided foreach of the channels.
 15. A video mixer apparatus as claimed in claim 14which further comprises a synthesis ratio adjusting operator sharableamong all of the channels, and wherein a synthesis ratio between signalsof two desired channels selected via the channel-selecting operators isadjustable via said synthesis ration adjusting operator.
 16. A videomixer apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein a gain-controllingoperator is among the operators provided for each of the channels.